Group Exhibit: Radical Craft Show
dedicated to Tom Blake and the art of crafting beyond tradition.
Opening Reception Friday September 18th, 6pm - 9pm
YS Arts Space, 208 Dayton Street.
Who is Tom Blake
"Tommy's Tree"
A Special Tribute
by
Ellen Blake Hoover
My brother Tom Blake has disabilities, such as compulsive/obsessive disorder and autism; he does not speak at all, and has a form of aphasia. Tom turns 66 this year, but he's always been my big brother and childhood playmate/best friend, so we grew up understanding each other even though he didn't then (and can't now) speak. At the time, my parents thought he was deaf and he was treated as such, so his language and understanding skills suffered (turns out he is not deaf but certainly has hearing issues).
As a young adult, he started this knitting and I've always been appreciative of it and how he chooses colors, textures, etc., but I've been unable to use it except as noted below. He uses any threads he can - wool, cotton, and polyester blends. I did the tree because the "knit knot" art inspired me to do something to show Tom my appreciation of his work and besides - I have a barrel of his knitting rolls. I included some of his knots (which are very unusual) and a few of his safety pins that he uses for transitions (I am not always sure what the transitions mean, however - I think they are transitions between times he works on the chains), and I have a mandelvilla plant growing around it. He has not yet seen it, but he will be very happy when he visits to see the results. Tom lives in Sidney Ohio in a group home and works to support himself.
My sister, Barb Geuy - also of Sidney, and I are Tom's guardians.
INFO About RADICAL CRAFTS
If you do work that uses traditional crafts/materials in non traditional ways or work that is done in a traditional way to make a social/political statement (craftivism) or non traditional materials for your crafts consider sharing it with us, we will be accepting work on the 15th September at 10am at the YS Art Space at 208 Dayton Street Upstairs
Peace Quilt
This blog entry "Handcrafting a New Society" at Radical Crosstitch has some great examples of work that makes a social statement.
Fortune Cookie Wisdom in Stitch
by Florence Wang
You can see more examples of her work at
Florence Wang Designs
INFO About RADICAL CRAFTS
If you do work that uses traditional crafts/materials in non traditional ways or work that is done in a traditional way to make a social/political statement (craftivism) or non traditional materials for your crafts consider sharing it with us, we will be accepting work on the 15th September at 10am at the YS Art Space at 208 Dayton Street Upstairs
This will be an opportunity to show how traditional arts/crafts has evolved into a means of personal expression and is no longer confined to the traditional view of crafts, or gender, or used purely for utilitarian purposes.
There is no jury, or entry fee, but a commission will be given to the arts council for any sales.
Examples:
There is no jury, or entry fee, but a commission will be given to the arts council for any sales.
Examples:
Radical Crosstitch and Seriously Seditious Stitching
Mr.XStitch contemporary embroidery
textile graffiti with political message
Yarn used for street art Knit Graffiti imagesMr.XStitch contemporary embroidery
textile graffiti with political message
Peace Quilt
This blog entry "Handcrafting a New Society" at Radical Crosstitch has some great examples of work that makes a social statement.
Fortune Cookie Wisdom in Stitch
by Florence Wang
You can see more examples of her work atFlorence Wang Designs